history

In 1993, three non-profit organizations identified a common need: helping communities across Oregon prevent substance abuse. Together they formed the Oregon Partnership, which was renamed Lines for Life in 2012. After almost two decades, we’re still reaching out—not just to Oregon, but to the nation as a whole—to provide free and confidential drug-prevention education and treatment-referral services.

Lines for Life is unique in that we combine treatment referrals and prevention under one ‘umbrella’ organization. Our oldest programs, the 24-hour crisis lines, are staffed seven days a week, 365 days a year, around the clock. Last year our crisis workers handled nearly 55,000 crisis calls, offering immediate assistance to help people overcome substance abuse, prevent suicide, find treatment and live happier, more productive lives. Our crisis workers do that not just directly for people in distress, but for their family members, friends, co-workers as well. We help people understand how to assess whether or not a loved one is at risk for suicide, or how to encourage them to get treatment for addiction.

From our beginnings, we have been in the forefront of statewide, regional, and national prevention efforts. We partner with regional coalitions to raise public awareness of the dangers of alcohol-addiction and other forms of substance abuse; we focus hard on helping teens in crisis, and helping create communities in which they can thrive. We do direct outreach in schools, and create guidelines and reference materials to help parents and teachers relate effectively to teens.

We have developed a national reputation for creative and innovative campaigns to keep citizens, our public officials, and our business community informed about the harms of substance abuse as well as the risk of suicide and how to prevent it.

Lines for Life – Preventing Substance Abuse and Suicide.

How our mission resonates with one of our Lines for Life board members.